A Good Read

April 15, 2011

Today's Kelly's Korner Link Up is:
**Book List**

(reviews from Amazon)

Jane Eyre
-Charlotte Bronte-
{I've been in love with this book since high school}

"On the surface a fairly conventional Gothic romance (poor orphan governess is hired by rich, brooding Byronic hero-type), Jane Eyre hardly seems the stuff from which revolutions are made. But the story is very much about the nature of human freedom and equality, and if Jane was seen as something of a renegade in nineteenth-century England, it is because her story is that of a woman who struggles for self-definition and determination in a society that too often denies her that right. But self-determination does not mean untrammeled freedom for men or women. Rochester, that thorny masculine beast whom Jane eventually falls for, is a man who sets his own laws and manipulates the lives of those around him; before he can enter into a marriage of equals with Jane he must undergo a spiritual transformation. Should the lesson sound dry, it's not. Jane Eyre is full of drama: fires, storms, attempted murder, and a mad wife conveniently stashed away in the attic. This is very sexy stuff - another reason Victorian critics weren't quite sure what to make of it. --500 Great Books by Women"


-Kate Chopin-
{I'll admit it.  I love classic female writers.}

"The Awakening was written by Kate Chopin and first published in 1899. From her vacation to the Gulf of Mexico to her return to New Orleans, Edna Pontellier, the wife of LĂ©once and mother of two boys, embarks on an emotionally fraught journey to discover love and self-fulfillment. Her relationships with her husband, with LeBrun and with Mademoiselle Reisz lead to a battle with isolation, conflicting emotions and her discovery of life as a sexual being. Set in nineteenth-century New Orlean's, Kate Chopin's novel was one of the earliest books to deal with gender issues and female sexuality, often cited as an early benchmark work of feminism."


-Sylvia Plath-
{Do you sense a trend with these first 3 books?}

"Plath was an excellent poet but is known to many for this largely autobiographical novel. The Bell Jar tells the story of a gifted young woman's mental breakdown beginning during a summer internship as a junior editor at a magazine in New York City in the early 1950s. The real Plath committed suicide in 1963 and left behind this scathingly sad, honest and perfectly-written book, which remains one of the best-told tales of a woman's descent into insanity."


-Ann Sprangler and  Jean Syswerda-

I have read this book 3 times and each time I've learned something different.  My mom gave me my first copy and then I loaned it to a friend.  I then bought another copy for myself and it's now being loaned to my mom.  I can never recommend this book enough.

9 comments:

Kae said...

Hello! I awarded you the Stylish Blogger Award. You can accept your award at my page-barefeet make me happy. (I couldn't remember if I let you know last night-so sorry if I already left a comment letting you know)

Happy Friday :)
Kae

Lisa said...

I love Jane Eyre. I'm going to get that out soon!

A Texas Gal said...

LOVE YOUR PICKS!!!

The Side Gig said...

I LOVE Jane Eyre. I wanted to see the new movie version but it had limited theatre release. Such a great classic book.

Let'sMakeADifference said...

Found your blog through Kellyskorner! Am now following! Would love for you to check out my blog and follow back!

ty said...

I LOVED The Bell Jar. Try A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, too!

Melissa said...

I love Jane Eyre. I taught it to my 10th graders (when I taught HS English) and I loved that they loved it too! I might have to read it again.

LOVE your blog!!

Erin Branscom said...

Have you ever heard of the book called The Red Tent? That is good too! :) Erin

www.healthybranscoms.com

Love your blog! I am following you!

Sarah Pete said...

I ADORE The Awakening and The Bell Jar. Jane Eyre needs a reread ;] Awesome stuff!

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